Discussions

What are people's thoughts? Should they change the name?  
 
Edited by AngeliKa, 2015-09-22 19:51:05

Nope

If a sports team was called "Blackskins" and many fans went to the games in "blackface" and dressed like caricatured black people would you find that distasteful and demeaning? I would hope so.  
 
It's no different with the "Redskins"  
That's my views on it.

Its a no loose situation their merchandise sales will be very good, with the die hards buying up all the old Red Skin stuff and everybody will need the new politically correct stuff,its a win win

So should the Minnesota Vikings also change their name?

cotr said "So should the Minnesota Vikings also change their name? "

Enfyre has a valid comparison. Maybe if the Vikings had a ridiculous mocking Vikings logo but the team name was the whiteskins then this attempt at a comparison would work.  
 
Edited by Tamara79, 2015-09-22 21:03:55

It is different.  
 
The Vikings were seafarers from a millenia ago, whose ethinticity was northern European. But crucially, not all Scandinavian people at that time were Vikings, so they weren't a race, they were a culture that doesn't exist anymore.  
 
Edited by Enfyre, 2015-09-22 21:20:19

We can not fix history. We can only learn from it.  
 
This debate here and in the media brings two sides to the table. Cripes every so many years we should talk the talk about all things involved here.  
 
In my opinion the name is not the issue. Being politically correct sometimes is just plain wrong.  
 
We learn from our mistakes. At the time the name was not politically incorrect. Now it is but "cleaning up" the issue by a name change is not correcting past mistakes it is ignoring it.  
 
It is no different than Eastern block countries when under communist rule upon Leadership change basically tried to erase all signs of them.  
 
Statues torn down, buildings renamed. Scorched earth policy. Trying to correct or erase your past does not change it. Just makes it harder for the next generation to see and learn from it.

AngeliKa said "What are people's thoughts? Should they change the name?     Edited by AngeliKa, 2015-09-22 19:51:05"

Neepawa Natives  
Fighting Sioux  
Fighting Irish  
Blackhawks  
Sun Devils  
And I'm sure there is more  
Are w changing these as well?

How about the Vancouver Canucks isn't that derogatory to Canadians.  

Straitup said "    AngeliKa said "What are people's thoughts? Should they change the name?     Edited by AngeliKa, 2015-09-22 19:51:05" Neepawa Natives   Fighting Sioux   Fighting Irish   Blackhawks   Sun Devils   And I'm sure there is more   Are w changing these as well? "

This is almost like if someone asks if cigarettes are bad, then you list a bunch of cigars and ask if they are bad too. Not sure what your getting at.  
 
First though, sun devils and blackhawks, I don't think those are even names or slang for any ethinic group.  
 
The fighting Sioux name was already dropped out of respect for Sioux people.  
 
And the fighting irish, well Irish people aren't a race, and they do have a legitimate reputation for fighting, and will readily admit to this.

alans233 said "How about the Vancouver Canucks isn't that derogatory to Canadians.   "

Canadians aren't a race..

Annetta said "Considering that many are offended by the Confederate flag then I would say yes the Vikings should change their name too.     All or none--this politically correct stuff is for the birds. To put it nicely. "

People who support the Confederate flag as a symbol of southern pride, should, by their own reasoning, also support the Nazi swatsika flag as a symbol of German pride.  
 
You know 5 Million Africans died as a direct result of the American slave trade, and the confederate flag was the symbol of the people who didn't want that slavery to end.  
(60-150 million Africans died in the slave trade world wide)  
 
Its the same way that the swatsika was the symbol of the people who were responsible for the deaths of millions of jews, among others.  
 
Not saying that the flag should be buried away, as to not be a reminder to future generations, but not proudly displayed, as shouldnt the swatsika.  
 
The issues with those flags aren't a matter of political correctness, their a matter of respect.  
 
Edited by Enfyre, 2015-09-22 22:30:54

Drop 'Red'  
Keep logo.  
 
Washington Skins  
 
Done deal, next.

Enfyre said "    Annetta said "Considering that many are offended by the Confederate flag then I would say yes the Vikings should change their name too.     All or none--this politically correct stuff is for the birds. To put it nicely. " People who support the Confederate flag as a symbol of southern pride, should, by their own reasoning, also support the Nazi swatsika flag as a symbol of German pride.     You know 5 Million Africans died as a direct result of the American slave trade, and the confederate flag was the symbol of the people who didn't want that slavery to end.   (60-150 million Africans died in the slave trade world wide)     Its the same way that the swatsika was the symbol of the people who were responsible for the deaths of millions of jews, among others.     Not saying that the flag should be buried away, as to not be a reminder to future generations, but not proudly displayed, as shouldnt the swatsika.     The issues with those flags aren't a matter of political correctness, their a matter of respect.     Edited by Enfyre, 2015-09-22 22:30:54"

The flag that was on display was not the confederate flag. It was a battle flag.  
 
The Japanese had their version. Check that out.  
 
In this case the Confederate battle flag represented those who served for the south dragged in or volunteers. Either way many died.  
 
Be it the battle flag of the Confederate or Japan this incident just shows how easy some want to know tow to changing how the next generation sees history.  

Enfyre said "    Annetta said "Considering that many are offended by the Confederate flag then I would say yes the Vikings should change their name too.     All or none--this politically correct stuff is for the birds. To put it nicely. " People who support the Confederate flag as a symbol of southern pride, should, by their own reasoning, also support the Nazi swatsika flag as a symbol of German pride.     You know 5 Million Africans died as a direct result of the American slave trade, and the confederate flag was the symbol of the people who didn't want that slavery to end.   (60-150 million Africans died in the slave trade world wide)     Its the same way that the swatsika was the symbol of the people who were responsible for the deaths of millions of jews, among others.     Not saying that the flag should be buried away, as to not be a reminder to future generations, but not proudly displayed, as shouldnt the swatsika.     The issues with those flags aren't a matter of political correctness, their a matter of respect.     Edited by Enfyre, 2015-09-22 22:30:54"

Yes, this is a very good way to put it. Very good point.

Not a bad reply to how some names symbolize past wrong doings. If people think that is enough reason to change a sports name because instead of it perhaps honouring/remembering what happened it's considered offensive I guess we'll have to go with what pleases people. Because you know, we can't offend anyone these days.  
 
That being said, I'll vote to change the name of the New Jersey Devils. I don't believe a team should use a fictional name of a character from a religion that does not exist. As a non believer, it offends me to use that name and I'll vote to have it changed as others will vote to change a name like Redskins etc.

It is difficult to say what should be deemed as offensive because taking offense to something requires a subjective reaction on the part of the offended.  
 
Should we make Germany change it's name as people will inevitably link Germany with the holocaust? This is an extreme example but, if I say that I find the words Germany or German offensive, is it not politically correct to do away with those terms?  
 
As for sports teams, we need to look at intent vs. content. Can the name Redskins be construed by some as offensive? YES Was the name chosen to be offensive? perhaps but not likely. If everything is judged solely by content, everything will need to be constantly re-evaluated as meaning is constantly shifting. Perhaps that is where we are going as a society but I, for one, am offended often enough that I can't be bothered looking for ways to be offended if offense was not intended.  
 
Edited by CommonTater, 2015-09-23 09:14:51

..you stand in front of a room full of Aboriginal people and call them "Redskins"? Would you have trouble doing this? If you would then why should we accept the name "Redskins" and assume it's not going to offend Aboriginal people.  
 
Also shouldn't it be Aboriginal people who should make the decision as to whether it is offensive or not?

Enfyre said "It is different.     The Vikings were seafarers from a millenia ago, whose ethinticity was northern European. But crucially, not all Scandinavian people at that time were Vikings, so they weren't a race, they were a culture that doesn't exist anymore.     Edited by Enfyre, 2015-09-22 21:20:19"

Yes the viking culture no longer exists because there was a cultural genocide that erased their proud culture and language...

There's a few teams that are closely watching what is happening in washington as a litmus test. The redskins staff are probably more concerned with how to get rid of RG3 than name issues ATM

FarmerMike said "Not a bad reply to how some names symbolize past wrong doings. If people think that is enough reason to change a sports name because instead of it perhaps honouring/remembering what happened it's considered offensive I guess we'll have to go with what pleases people. Because you know, we can't offend anyone these days.     That being said, I'll vote to change the name of the New Jersey Devils. I don't believe a team should use a fictional name of a character from a religion that does not exist. As a non believer, it offends me to use that name and I'll vote to have it changed as others will vote to change a name like Redskins etc. "

It's a good thing your vote doesn't count then. As a human, it offends me that you can be offended by something you made up. As well, as a New Jersey Devils fan, it offends me that you are offended by this team name. It has nothing to do with Satan: it is in reference to the New Jersey Devil. Google is your friend.  
 
I almost spit out my coffee reading this trash.  

Has anyone seen the South Park episode of this from last season?  
 
Absolutely worth the watch, if you are so inclined to watch South Park.  
 
Last weeks episode was about censorship, another worth the watch and relevant to this discussion.  
 
I am not a big fan of censorship.

BobbyLight there was supposed to be a /sarcasm at the end of my last post. My bad  
 
The whole point was society has become a bunch of bubble wrapped whining babies. Why didn't people think like this 20 years ago?  
 
People are offended by so much these days you don't dare blink at the wrong person or you'll be in so much hot water it's not even funny. In fact it's sickening. Why can't people sit back and say "meh, there are more important things to worry about"

I am surprised no one has started a movement to change the name of red skin potato salad. God forbid someone might not eat it because the name offends them.  
 
Like FarmerMike said "society has become a bunch of bubble wrapped whining babies".